CISAC investigates claims against Spanish society SGAE

CISAC has stepped in to reassure songwriters, composers and music publishers it will investigate allegations made against Spanish collection society SGAE.

It follows an angry statement from the International Confederation of Music Publishers (ICMP) about the conduct of SGAE towards its members.

In a statement, ICMP said: “SGAE’s misconduct and lack of respect towards the national and international community of authors, composers and music publishers have been cause for serious concern among ICMP’s global membership for many years.”

The organisation filed a formal complaint with CISAC – the umbrella organisation which represents authors’ collection societies in 121 countries – and called for SGAE to be suspended as a CISAC member.

“It’s time for the general collective management community to address the gravity of this matter and to work towards a definitive solution,” added ICMP chair Chris Butler.

CISAC has now responded and pledged to “evaluate” the claims made about SGAE, which it takes “very seriously”.

In a statement, CISAC said: “CISAC has been aware of the concerns voiced over SGAE’s situation in the past and has offered its support in an effort to assist the society’s management in addressing it.”

SGAE has not commented on the latest allegations.

In recent years, the Spanish collection society has faced police raids and legal cases over misappropriation of funds.